Investigation Urged: SERAP Calls on Tinubu to Look into Alleged Misuse of N145bn Allocated for Protecting Students

Persistent allegations of fund mismanagement have prompted the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project to request that President Bola Tinubu launch an investigation into the Federal Government's N145 billion Safe Schools Initiative, citing potential diversion or unaccounted expenditures.

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Between March 2024 and May 2026, over 600 students and teachers were abducted in school-related attacks across Nigeria, despite the programme's implementation, according to reports that have sparked the organisation's call to action on Thursday.

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In a statement issued by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, as well as relevant anti-corruption agencies, to examine the utilisation of the allocated funds.

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The organisation's statement reads in part: "We call on President Bola Tinubu to urgently direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations that the ₦145 billion Safe Schools Initiative funds are missing, mismanaged, or diverted."

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Furthermore, the statement emphasizes that those found responsible should face justice, and any missing funds should be fully recovered, highlighting the need for accountability in the management of the programme's funds.

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A recent abduction of dozens of students and teachers from three schools in Oyo State's Oriire Local Government Area has underscored the vulnerability of schools, despite the reported allocation of billions of naira for their protection, prompting SERAP to call for action.

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SERAP has also urged the federal government and the Oyo State Government to ensure the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers, apprehend those responsible, and provide victims and their families with access to justice, in order to address the ongoing crisis.

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The reported abductions have raised concerns about the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the Safe Schools Initiative, according to SERAP, which has expressed concerns about the potential mismanagement of funds intended to protect Nigerian children.

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Allegations of corruption in the Safe Schools Initiative must be thoroughly investigated, and the findings should be widely published, as corruption in education security poses significant risks to lives, undermines the right to education, and disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, SERAP has argued.

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Nigerian authorities have constitutional and international obligations to protect children from abduction, violence, and other human rights violations, as outlined in provisions such as Sections 14, 33, and 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee the security, welfare, life, and dignity of citizens.

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These provisions require authorities to take effective steps to protect students, teachers, and educational institutions from violence, abductions, and other threats that undermine access to education and the enjoyment of fundamental rights, SERAP has pointed out.

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If the recommended measures are not implemented, SERAP has warned that it will not hesitate to institute legal action against Nigerian authorities, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring that the rights of children and communities are protected.